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60: Clinical and Biological Aspects of Neuroblastoma

Garrett M. Brodeur

Abstract

Abstract

Neuroblastoma, a tumor of the postganglionic sympathetic nervous system, is the most common extracranial solid tumor of childhood.

No environmental exposures or agents have been associated with an increased risk of neuroblastoma. However, a subset has a genetic predisposition that follows an autosomal dominant pattern of inheritance.

Primary tumors generally arise in the adrenal medulla (50 percent) or elsewhere in the abdomen or pelvis (30 percent). Only 20 percent arise in the chest.

Metastases usually are found in the regional lymph nodes, bone, bone marrow, skin, or liver. Paraneoplastic syndromes characteristic of neuroblastomas are seen in a small percentage of patients.

Tissue biopsy or characterization of cells in the bone marrow diagnoses neuroblastomas. Catecholamine metabolites are elevated in the urine in over 90 percent of cases.

There is an international neuroblastoma staging system for categorizing the extent and resectability of the primary tumor and the presence or absence of metastases.

A number of prognostic variables have been identified that allow better prediction of clinical behavior: MYCN amplification, allelic loss of 1p36, gain of 17q, expression of TrkA, tumor cell ploidy, and tumor pathology.

Histologically, neuroblastic tumors can be immature (neuroblastoma), partially mature (ganglioneuroblastoma), or completely mature (ganglioneuroma). However, other features, such as the presence or absence of Schwannian stroma, mitoses, or karyorrhectic cells, may have more prognostic importance.

Screening of infants for neuroblastoma by measuring urinary catecholamine metabolites has resulted in a doubling of the apparent incidence rate in infants with no decrease in advanced disease in older children.

Future therapeutic approaches may be aimed at the induction of differentiation or programmed cell death through retinoid or neurotrophin receptor pathways. Alternate approaches may focus on the product of the MYCN gene, the 1p36 suppressor gene, other specific genetic changes, or antiangiogenesis.